Being a Good Citizen

• The first of the general ethical principles of the ACM is

  Contribute to society and to human well-being, acknowledging 
  that all people are stakeholders in computing

• I think this breaks down into two responsibilities
  • Make the world a better place
  • Make sure what you do benefits everyone
• Every day technology makes our lives easier
• Weather reports help us plan our day
• Remote connections allow us to work from anywhere on the planet
• We can get detailed directions to anywhere
• We are lucky to live when we do
• And enjoy these conveniences
• We have them because the people who came before us created them
• We owe them a debt
• But the debt is not to them
• It is to those who come after us
• We repay our debt by creating things that will benefit future generations
• But we must be sure that the benefits go to all levels of society
• Not just to the affluent and well-connected
• Certain groups do not enjoy all the benefits of technology
• IT work is well paid
• And IT workers tend to associate with other well paid people
• This can make the important needs of some people invisible
• We must not let our good fortune blind us
• To the needs of others
• This is particularly important now when immigrants are vilified
• When people of color are considered less than human by some
• If you are not part of the solution
• You are part of the problem